CHAETO Refugium Lighting...Help Wanted Kessel

[jphilip813]

Hey fellow Reefers...I just recently purchased a Kessel A160...threw some Chaeto after about two weeks and selected the "PURPLE/GROW" setting, ran the light for 13hrs reverse cycle from the display tank from 6pm till 7:30am, I noticed the chaeto has changed to white fibers... (I assume they are dead) and of course algae growing where the light hits in the refugium. What is the recommended setting for Chaeto for Kessel Lighting...tips, tricks are requested as well

 

[Dom]

How long has the light been up and running with Chaeto?

 

[jphilip813]

How long has the light been up and running with Chaeto?

Almost a month now...I just recently purchased this light as part of my aquarium upgrade

 

[Dom]

Almost a month now...I just recently purchased this light as part of my aquarium upgrade

I wouldn't worry right now. But monitor to see if your Chaeto dies off completely.

 

[jphilip813]

I wouldn't worry right now. But monitor to see if your Chaeto dies off completely.

Oh ok, yeah before I switched to this sump...I was growing chaeto like crazy with a little cheap $25 light...now with this light...doesn't seem like it is growing and the chaeto seems to break-off very easy...and turn to almost dark brown...I replaced it once so far...hoping I got a bad batch, due to COVOID 19 at the LFS

 

[piranhaman00]

Never understood the expensive lights to grow cheato, if its not growing/dieing, its not a lighting thing, Its probably missing some nutrients in the water.

 

[01xp]

Who made the printed lens cover thingy? Would/can they make one for a kessil h80

 

[jphilip813]

Who made the printed lens cover thingy? Would/can they make one for a kessil h80

Really talented folks on here, had it customized for my set-up...(ludnix) and (TheHarold) are the two I commissioned to assist with the making of the Light Directors

 

[fredk]

What sort of light was the chaeto under at the lfs? You can easily light shock plants/algae if you drastically change the light intensity over night.

The other question would be where your nitrate and phosphate levels are. Phosphate is probably OK, but it is possible for chaeto to strip out the nitrate it needs to thrive.

 

[01xp]

Really talented folks on here, had it customized for my set-up...(ludnix) and (TheHarold) are the two I commissioned to assist with the making of the Light Directors

Thank you

 

[Dom]

Oh ok, yeah before I switched to this sump...I was growing chaeto like crazy with a little cheap $25 light...now with this light...doesn't seem like it is growing and the chaeto seems to break-off very easy...and turn to almost dark brown...I replaced it once so far...hoping I got a bad batch, due to COVOID 19 at the LFS

If you were growing previously, then I feel we can rule out lack of nutrients. Check the manual and see where growth occurs in the spectrum.

 

[jphilip813]

If you were growing previously, then I feel we can rule out lack of nutrients. Check the manual and see where growth occurs in the spectrum.

Well I was growing under a different setup...a different sump (smaller one, and a differernt light..smaller and cheaper) but it worked...I waited for atleast one month or so...the OLD cheato from the other sump all died...I purchased this Kessel and new chaeto and there is where the problem lies...cheato is just not growing for some odd reason...they are turning almost like a brown color...

 

[jphilip813]

Never understood the expensive lights to grow cheato, if its not growing/dieing, its not a lighting thing, Its probably missing some nutrients in the water.

Lets just say I fell into the hype with the expensive lights...I was doing JUST fine with the cheap lights...only thing is the wiring just didn't configure correctly with my new setup. However, your point is taken about the lights from the LFS (Bright white vs Purple I have in my sump). I might try and replicate the LFS settings.

 

[jphilip813]

What sort of light was the chaeto under at the lfs? You can easily light shock plants/algae if you drastically change the light intensity over night.

The other question would be where your nitrate and phosphate levels are. Phosphate is probably OK, but it is possible for chaeto to strip out the nitrate it needs to thrive.

My phosphate levels are .004ppm as for my nitrates...I am going to imagine they are high...I tested last week and they were off the charts...I ended up reducing my feeding times from 3 times daily to just twice...

 

[Dom]

Well I was growing under a different setup...a different sump (smaller one, and a differernt light..smaller and cheaper) but it worked...

LOL... been there...

Can't tell you how many of my posts on this site have been related to fixing something that wasn't broken.

You have a bigger sump, but, does that translate into better filtering efficiency and lower nutrient levels? If it does, then maybe it is nutrient levels (or lack of) that is causing your problem.

 

[Crabs McJones]

When going from a 25 dollar light to a high powered light, you'll want to cut back because the chaeto will burn. I found 8 hours a night was the magic number. If you leave it on to long it can tank your nutrient levels which can also cause chaeto die off

 

[jphilip813]

When going from a 25 dollar light to a high powered light, you'll want to cut back because the chaeto will burn. I found 8 hours a night was the magic number. If you leave it on to long it can tank your nutrient levels which can also cause chaeto die off

Oh ok...then I will cut back on the Reverse cycle lighting times 8hrs

 

[Flux Capacitor]

If your chaeto is already white, I’d cut it back more like 4 hours for a few days let it rebound. Then over the next month slowly start to add some time until you hit your desired photoperiod. I agree 8 hours is about the most I run mine, this h380 is a beast!

 

[sam2110]

I run my light for 16 hours a day 2100 till 1300. I have an ALR 2 reactor, grows like crazy but does a really good job of keeping nitrates down.

Have you dosed vibrant or anything like that as that will kill chaeto?

 

[Rjramos]

White near the surface, and green below and on the outer areas of light usually mean burning, too much light. Try dialing the light to about 1/4-1/2 power. I keep mine on 24 hrs, so photoperiod is not a problem as long as you have some nutrients.